UTSA students raise more than $50,000 to fight childhood cancer
(April 14, 2014) -- The UTSA student organization For the Kids Dance Marathon (FTK) hosted its fifth annual 12-hour, high-energy, no-sitting, no-sleeping Dance Marathon from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday, April 12 in the UTSA Convocation Center at the UTSA Main Campus.
The event celebrates the organization’s yearlong fundraising efforts to help children with cancer and their families. This year, FTK Dance Marathon at UTSA raised $50,025.63 as of Saturday at 9 p.m. This beats last year’s record of $40,455.63.
The FTK Dance Marathon at UTSA featured a group of more than 200 FTK dancers who participated by standing and dancing for 12 hours while interacting and performing with the children and their families.
The goal of FTK is to raise awareness while providing financial and emotional support for the children and their families affected by childhood cancer. The money raised by FTK does not support scientific research but rather helps families pay for more personal items such as parking at the hospital, groceries, gas and utility bills. In addition to raising money, the FTK students regularly spend time with the children at the hospital.
The 2014 FTK Dance Marathon at UTSA featured heartfelt speeches by some of the families, a visit from UTSA athletics teams, games and performances by a variety of groups. Additionally, 44 students from the Rio Grande Valley attended to stand for the kids.
On average, 12,500 children in the USA are diagnosed with cancer each year. Although survival rates for many childhood cancers have improved dramatically over the last few decades, cancer is still the leading cause of death by disease in children.
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For more information, visit the For the Kids website.
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Events
This event will acknowledge graduating seniors from the McNair Scholars program at UTSA before inducting the new cohort of scholars into the program.
North Paseo Building (NPB 5.140), Main CampusAt this memorable celebration, UTSA graduates will be introduced one-by-one to cross the stage and accept their doctoral degrees.
Arts Building Recital Hall, Main CampusRoadrunner Walk is an event for graduating students to have a memorable walk on campus to celebrate an important milestone and their achievements. Graduates will walk along the Paseo while being celebrated by the UTSA community, friends, and family members.
Student Union Paseo, Main CampusCelebrate the accomplishments of College of Education and Human Development, College for Health, Community and Policy, College of Sciences and University College.
Alamodome, 100 Montana St.Celebrate the accomplishments of Alvarez College of Business, College of Liberal and Fine Arts and Klesse College of Engineering and Integrated Design.
Alamodome, 100 Montana St.